This is really valid question that we get asked here at Tluxe, bearing in mind we only use GOTS certified organic cotton in our range. Instinctively as consumers we understand that eating fresh produce that is chemical free will lead to better health outcomes but when wE think about choosing our clothing it can seem a little less critical, until you take a closer look.

“Conventional cotton producers use as much as 25 percent of the world’s insecticides and more than 10 percent of the world’s pesticides; an incredible amount for one just one crop” (huffington post). Cotton is not a food crop so there is less regulation around the chemicals used to produce it, which leads to an alarming rate of highly toxic substances being used.

Seven out of the 15 most carcinogenic chemicals known to man are used to grow cotton (EPA). This high use of pesticides poisons our air, water and soil, and has a severe impact on ecosystems, causing harm to plants, animals and humans.

It’s evident that conventional cotton farming is detrimental to our health and the health of the environment, making organic cotton the natural alternative. Organically grown cotton does't use pesticides and organic farming practices also take better care of the land, utlilising farming techniques such as hand weeding and crop rotation to keep the soil healthy and fertile.

When we buy organic cotton we shift the demand to a more sustainable environmentally friendly alternative using less pollutants and chemicals.

How wonderful that we have the power to make an informed choice that can make such a difference!

It’s a myth that clothes don’t get clean on a cold wash, if you’re worried about getting out stains you can pre-soak with baking soda in cold water for an hour.

2) Wash your clothes less often

Did you know that 25% of fashions carbon footprint comes from washing the clothes we have.My rule, if it doesn’t smell and isn’t stained it doesn’t need to be washed!

3) Use Eco friendly detergent

We are spoiled for choice these days with Eco friendly options. When you wash with standard detergents the chemicals will remain on the clothing and can be absorbed into your skin as well as being washed into the ocean. I’ve used a range of natural based laundry detergents and have not have not noticed a difference if the quality of the wash. We recommend Tangent garment care, which we sell on our website here.

4) Line drying

I hope most people are doing this as a default but when busy it can be tempting to choose the quick option but line drying helps save energy and helps keep your clothing wearable for longer.

5) Buy a Cora Ball

They stop microfibers from being washed into our waterways and oceans.

“Every time we do laundry, our clothes shed tiny microfibers (including plastic), which go down the drains of our washing machines, through wastewater treatment facilities and into our waterways.

We all love the idea of ethical and sustainable fashion. We’re living in an age where awareness of the environmental challenges facing us is growing and it’s natural that we all start to evaluate how we can make a difference through our lifestyle choices. But what does ethical and sustainable fashion really mean and how can we play a part? I know when I started working here at Tluxe I considered myself environmentally aware, I eat organic food, recycle and compost and take cloth bags when I do my shopping (most of the time!) but did I have any idea about the fabrics I was wearing, how they were produced or where they came from? Shamefully no, but that has changed.

To give you an idea of what we’re dealing with, the clothing industry is the second largest polluter in the world!! It’s a combination of a few factors; the chemicals used in the production of fabric, the carbon emissions from manufacturing and the fact that the garments produced are often low quality with short life cycles, encouraging ongoing consumption. And it’s not just the synthetic plastic based fabrics that are the culprit (think polyester, nylon and acrylic, you know the materials that keep you hot and sweaty and sometimes itchy). Cotton is one of the most highly sprayed crops in the world. The pesticides used have a huge environmental impact and we’re learning more about the dangers. Another major concern is that workers in the industry are often exploited. Think of all the controversy that has plagued Nike and for good reason. Fast convenient and (sometimes) cheap fashion has a cost, the environment suffers and workers suffer.

Sustainable & Ethical fashion is about making a choice to buy garments whose production has a smaller environmental footprint, while making sure that all workers throughout the entire production process are treated fairly.

How do you make sustainable, ethical fashion choices?

1) Learn about fabrics and chose wisely, we love the sustainability in styles article on fabrics . The fabric you chose will determine it’s longevity, and ecological foot print. Always look for natural fibers or semi synthetic.

2) Care for your garments, see them as your long term friends, the more you care for them the longer they’ll stick around! We’ll be doing a blog on this soon.

3) Buy Australian made where possible (everything at Tluxe is made in Australia) and research/enquire with brands about where their clothing is made.

Remember it’s about small changes, cultivating an awareness and staying curious about your options. As the consumer you hold great power. Spend your money on options that align with your values and you’ll feel better inside and out.

]]>
https://www.tluxe.com/blogs/tluxe-blogg/17671144-tencel-fibre-of-the-future2015-03-12T14:33:00+11:002017-11-08T11:25:12+11:00TENCEL: FIBRE OF THE FUTURESamara Vercoe“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury”

-Coco Chanel

TENCEL is a gorgeous fabric that represents the incredible modern developments of environmentally sustainable textiles and the driving consumer desire for eco-friendly fashion. It combines all the breathability and comfort of natural fibres, with the heightened strength and quick-drying nature of man-made fabrics. The look is luxurious and refined, with a natural fluid drape.

Made with wood pulp from sustainable tree farms, this yarn is created with an amine oxide solvent that is non-toxic and recycled during the production cycle. The end result is a fabric that is fully 100% biodegradable. Everything we wished for!

TENCEL offers the advantages of high colour retention, natural breathability and advanced moisture absorption (perfect for people with sensitive skin!), anti-bacterial properties, delicate drape, and a lightweight texture that is resistant to wrinkles (a travellers dream!).

Example of the smooth fibre structure of Tencel.

We love this eco-friendly fabric, and that it makes a generous appearance in each and every one of our collections. Make sure you get your hands on some of our Tluxe TENCEL pieces this season to add lifelong classic basics to your wardrobe. Winter 2015 introduces some new longer length styles, along with our beloved essentials like The Poncho top and The Cocoon top – absolute must-have pieces for any Tluxe lover.

TENCEL is the trade name for the generic fibre Lyocell. To qualify for this elite branding the lyocell is obtained from traceable and sustainable wood pulp which is farms certified by the Forest Stewardship Council – FSC. It is created using only non-toxic organic solvent that has been recovered and reused to a 99.5% efficiency rate.

Tluxe uses only certified Tencel in our collections. Look for this label on all our garments to be assured that you are purchasing the highest quality fabric available, and supporting our continued quest for environmentally sustainable fashion.

]]>
https://www.tluxe.com/blogs/tluxe-blogg/17242492-warm-up-for-winter2015-03-02T12:47:39+11:002015-03-02T12:47:39+11:00WARM-UP FOR WINTERSamara Vercoe“Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius”

-Pietro Aretino

The days are getting shorter and while winter seems far on the distant horizon, spring is ready to start injecting excitement into our wardrobes! Now is the time to effortlessly transcend into winter with the Tluxe AW2015 range, and with 5 of our must-have essentials you can’t go wrong this season.

Inspired from the cool mountain ranges of south Australia, this season it’s all about textured layers and effortless style. Featuring a colour palette of dark moody teals and greys, our signature mystical forest print, and playful highlights of true red and kelly green, this collection boasts something for everyone. Wrap yourself up in cool natural cottons and delicate tencel, the perfect piece for any climate, and don’t forget to spoil yourself with some of our superior fine merino, for that real genuine rugged-up winter feel.

As always we are committed to the use of superior quality fabrics and sustainable, ethical production practices. This season is no exception, and we here at Tluxe pride ourselves on our ethos to stay true to supporting local Australian manufacturing, and reducing our carbon imprint on the environment. Be a part of our contribution to a cleaner future; Shop local, buy sustainable, support independent.

Want it first? Sign up to our online newsletter here for exclusive offers and VIP deals. Be sure to watch this space, there’s more to come!

]]>
https://www.tluxe.com/blogs/tluxe-blogg/15476549-the-shirt-dress2014-09-24T14:32:00+10:002014-09-24T14:32:45+10:00THE SHIRT DRESSRebecca Powell
Featured in Who weekly, this 100% Cotton Chambray shirt dress is one of the key shapes for the Summer coming. Simple, classic and casual it's easy to style with ankle boots, pumps or sandals.

Our classic white shirt " Hendaye", is featured in this months Harper's Bazaar magazine. Made from crisp organic cotton poplin and featuring turned up sleeves and a concealed placket, this shirt is timeless.

Due to it's popularity we have now kept this style is our collections for 4 seasons, making it a true wardrobe staple.

Her look: Ali’s dark brows, sun-kissed skin and centre-parted hair signaled a shift towards a more relaxed and natural style in the early 70s and marked the beginnings of the classic, all-American look. Her penchant for knits layered up with oversized scarves, camel coats, flares, beanies and headscarves have become a trademark. Personally we’re feeling the love for her more pared back looks such as striped tops, simple Tees and strappy, belted dresses.

How to wear it now: Slip into a Breton-inspired Tee, like our striped tee Killamanjaro or long sleeved Striped Tee serengetti and team it with a pair of ankle grazing cigarette pants for an instant 2013 update something little more laid back yet ultra modern why not try the complementary clash stripes our adis ababa print trousers teamed with boots

If there’s one thing that defines Sydney in summer it’s a dip in the ocean after the working day is done. In autumn, Sydney’s all about the harbour and fantastic local events like Vivid. This is your last week to get down to the Opera House and check out the truly inspirational light shows (pictured).

With our clothing made right here in Sydney, Tluxe is all about supporting the local, so we’re a little biased with our top tips for the electronic arts fest, which would have to be Sydney artist Alex Davies’ interactive cinema installation, The Very Near Future. The bonus is, it’s on at the Carriageworks in Redfern, another of our favourite local haunts. So you can pop down on a Saturday, check out the food market, grab a coffee and physically immerse yourself in art. Sounds like the perfect start the weekend. Enjoy!

Australia produces the world’s finest wool and here at Tluxe we’re proud to be using Australian merino wool in our collections, which is prized across the globe for its truly remarkable attributes. We love it because it looks beautiful and feels amazingly soft against your skin, and as a 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable fibre it stands the Tluxe test for sustainability.

Wool is one of those forever investments that keeps you warm in winter, and thanks to its natural breathability, helps keep you cool in summer. And it’s a great travel companion as it resists creasing, drapes superbly, has natural anti-static and anti-odour properties and is also fantastic at shrugging off stains. And did we say it looks stunning too?

Our own lightweight wool pieces here at Tluxe are super soft against your skin and perfect for layering in the autumn months. For the ultimate toast factor, try one of our merino wool jumpers layered under this season’s essential poncho. It’s one of the best ways to stay warm and look cool right now.

We love this image of a 16ft, 7.5 ton mountain of discarded clothes, which represents just one day of textile waste in Hong Kong. It reminds us of our commitment to be more mindful of the way we make our own collections. Here at Tluxe it’s important that we use quality fabrics, local makers and modern yet classic designs that will last you more than just one season.

At the moment we, as a society, are buying more clothes than ever and the numbers just keep rising every year. Why? Largely because of cheap, fast fashion which we mostly buy on impulse. These are the purchases, which end up in the second hand clothing bin in no time at all when they fall apart, get out of shape, or just don’t work with anything else in our wardrobes.

We love author Elizabeth L. Cline’s suggestions on how to get a handle on your impulse buys, which you can read more about in her book, Over-dressed: the shockingly high cost of cheap fashion. She suggests:

-Be more strategic about your clothes shopping like setting a clothing budget for the year and working out what you really need.

-Look at fabrication labels, and opt for natural fibres that not only wear better but feel good against your skin, like silk, Tencel and Modal – the type of fabrics we use here at Tluxe.

-And why not learn to sew? Mending and altering your clothes is a great way to not only make them last, but create more of a meaningful relationship with what you wear, so you’re less likely to thoughtlessly throw them away.

Buy quality: Tluxe 100% fine merino wool and silk Casbah poncho

And if you’ve no time to sew, invest in quality designs that will last, such as our range of cosy 100% fine merino wool jumpers, cardigans and ponchos, which will keep you feeling warm and looking effortlessly chic as the nights draw in.

This autumn brighten your wardrobe with a touch of potent red. One of the statement colours of the season it’s the perfect way to lift your spirits as the days grow shorter.

Try wearing it now as a hit of colour in our organic cotton Sandy Lane pants, or for an all out confidence booster you can never underestimate the power of a classic red dress. We love ours in a soft-to-the-touch blend of organic cotton and silk, and we’re certain you will too.

]]>
https://www.tluxe.com/blogs/tluxe-blogg/7568522-at-home-with-tluxe-the-humble-beach-shack2013-03-25T21:20:22+11:002013-03-25T22:40:45+11:00At home with Tluxe... the humble beach shackVerity Magdalino

With the Easter holidays nearly upon us we're dreaming of escaping to a quiet, humble beach shack surrounded by a garden of tea-trees. Despite being an urban-dwelling nation the modernist-style beach houses that populate the small towns up and down the coast are steeped in nostalgia for many Australians. As author Tim Winton writes in his book, Land's Edge, "In my memory of childhood there is always the smell of bubbling tar, of Pinke Zinke, the briny smell of the sea. It is always summer and I am on Scarborough Beach, blinded by light... There is nowhere else I'd rather be, nothing else I would prefer to be doing."

Here at Tluxe HQ this week we'll be mostly listening to the soulful sounds of Donald Byrd's classic Places and Spaces album. Our particular favourite track today being Flight Time, which beautifully reflects in music our current mood and the ideas behind our new autumn/winter collection, The Journey. Enjoy!

As the first days of autumn roll in we're feeling the culture today at Tluxe HQ, and what better way to spend a rainy weekend like the one we've just experienced here in Sydney, than traipsing around the art galleries for a little inspiration. This week heralds the start of Art Month, and personally we're loving the after hours gallery openings, which usually involve a cocktail or two alongside your culture.

This week the galleries of Paddington and Woollahra open up Thursday, March 7 as part of a series of 'Precinct Nights', followed by art spaces in Waterloo and Alexandria on Friday, March 8. We're loving Helen Mueller's hand cut woodblock prints of a melaleuca forest at the Brenda May gallery, pictured, and Caroline Rothwell's images of endangered Australian animals made from the black carbon residue collected from exhaust pipes.

This is the week, people, that our new autumn/winter collection lands online! Now’s the time to update your wardrobe with a hint of cool blue teal, the relaxed silhouette of a printed shift dress, the hot new shape of our cropped trousers, or the cocooning softness of one of this season’s essential pieces, the easy-to-wear cape.

Made from pure Australian wool and trimmed with the lux touch of silk, we pride ourselves that our cape, like the rest of our collection, is made and designed wholly in Australia from natural, sustainable fabrics. This means it not only feels amazing against your skin, it supports local makers and industry, and with less air miles to travel from our studio to your wardrobe, ensures we leave as little an imprint on our environment as possible so you can look great and feel great too.

Be the first to know when new styles - such as our pure wool cape - land, enjoy up-to-the-minute styling tips and exclusive offers by signing up to our newsletter here. Happy days.

]]>
https://www.tluxe.com/blogs/tluxe-blogg/7356634-at-home-with-tluxe2013-02-18T16:14:00+11:002013-02-18T16:14:00+11:00At home with TluxeVerity Magdalino

Ok, so this is not exactly where we live, but it's on our wish list of dream homes and interiors. And with the cooler change in the air today, and the imminent arrival of autumn/winter collection online, we're feeling the love for the cosy fireside at Rose Seidler House. A mid-century modern gem hidden in one of the leafier parts of Sydney its original 1950s interior still feels contemporary. Architect Harry Seidler built it for his mother and its open plan design and feeling of bringing the outside indoors heralded a new aesthetic, which has become almost standard in many architect-designed Australian homes today. And the best part? You can visit Rose in all her originally furnished glory on any Sunday you like. Pure. Modernist. Magic.

Here's a little something we put together earlier... just one of the moodboards for our new season collection, The Journey, which lands in stores this week. To be the first to know when the latest looks arrive to our online store, sign up to our news alerts here.

Another of our favourite pieces in the new collection is our cowl-back Saffron top, which is
designed to be layered, Bedouin-like, with swathes of luxurious, natural
fabrics. Autumn/winter is all about layering so this season we’ll be
providing you with plenty of styling tips on how to get the most out of
the key pieces in the new Tluxe collection. Watch this space!

There's more to Sydney than Bondi and the Harbour Bridge and today we'd like to share with you one of our favourite harbourside hideaways, Wendy Whiteley's garden. It's amazing on many levels: the water views, made famous by Wendy's late husband, Brett Whiteley's paintings; the sculptures dotted along the winding, leafy pathways; and the fact that Wendy has created this paradise herself, with a little help from a few volunteers and gardeners, on disused railway land, simply because she was tired of overlooking the weeds and rubbish, which formerly littered the site (her house is on the hill above the park, the one with the turret). And yes, it's still owned by the railway, and after many years, Wendy can still be seen working in the garden, which she admits has become a sort of obsession. To discover this magic little hideaway for yourself, simply follow the footpath from Luna Park in North Sydney, along the harbour to Lavendar Bay and turn right. And don't forget to take a picnic basket. Enjoy.

]]>
https://www.tluxe.com/blogs/tluxe-blogg/7207498-soundtrack-to-the-week2013-01-21T10:40:50+11:002013-01-21T10:40:50+11:00Soundtrack to the week...Verity Magdalino

How about a little classic Al Green to put a smile on your face at the start of the week... Let's Stay Together being one of our all-time favourites here at Tluxe HQ. We've so many reasons to spread the joy today, starting with the cooler weather (Friday's 45 degrees here in Sydney truly felt like stumbling into a fan-forced oven), the fact we have a day off next week (thanks Australia Day!), and that a certain president, who also happens to be an Al Green fan, (check his campaign playlist here), is back in the driving seat. Happy Monday indeed.

]]>
https://www.tluxe.com/blogs/tluxe-blogg/7169026-emerald-the-colour-of-the-year2013-01-14T16:17:27+11:002013-09-18T13:02:00+10:00Emerald: the colour of the yearRebecca Powell

So Pantone, the global authority on colour and how it's used in design, has forecaste emerald green as the colour for 2013. What does it mean? If you’re in India green is linked to good luck, life and love. In the Middle East it represents strength, fertility and wealth while in the West, we tend to associate green with money, nature, good luck and all things ‘go’.

Personally when we think emerald we think of nature, and images from the art world, such as those pictured above. And we also don’t mind wearing a bit of emerald, like our palm print La Croisette dress or a simple organic cotton T-shirt. It not only shows you’re forward-thinking when it comes to design, right now with everything in our online store discounted 50%, it shows you’re smart too. Just enter the code SHOP50 after going through checkout. Enjoy!]]>
https://www.tluxe.com/blogs/tluxe-blogg/7129156-new-year-new-ideas2013-01-07T14:09:07+11:002013-09-18T11:33:49+10:00New Year, new ideas...Verity Magdalino

Happy New Year you lovely people! Hope you're all enjoying one of our best summers ever - and are finding plenty of sartorial inspiration in our January sale. For those of you who may feel the need to escape the heat (41 degrees expected in Sydney tomorrow!), skip the crowds at the beach for a little cultural inspiration in the air-conditioned coolness of Sydney's MCA and the fantastic Anish Kapoor exhibition, which is on now until April 1st. Kapoor is one of our personal all-time favourite artists and this is a chance to immerse yourself in the perception-changing colour of his work up close. So do don't miss it!

In the mad rush before Christmas today we’re all about
taking a little moment to enjoy all the Australian summer has to offer.Even if it just means soaking up the warmth
of these images taken at Sydney's Ryde swimming pool by photographer, Ingeborg Tyssen who spent a good deal of her
early career documenting the suburbs of ‘70s Australia. You can see
more of her work if you’re in Melbourne over the Christmas break, at the Monash
Gallery of Art.